The National Library, also called the National Library of Rio de Janeiro, is the repository of bibliographic and documentary heritage in Brazil.
Considered by UNESCO as the world's seventh national library is also the largest library in Latin America. Among its various responsibilities include to preserve, update and publish a collection of more than eight million pieces, which began with the arrival of Brazil and is constantly growing, from donations, acquisitions and legal deposit.
Its headquarters are in Rio de Janeiro, Avenida Rio Branco. Beyond it, the National Library Foundation - BNF also encompasses the Library Euclides da Cunha - BEC, located in Rio de Janeiro and designed to serve children and youth, and the Library of Brasilia Demo - BDB.
Its origins are related to the creation of the Royal Library, the second organized by the Portuguese royal house - the first was destroyed by the earthquake that struck Lisbon in 1755. With the coming of the royal family, the library was brought to Brazil. A decree of October 29, 1810 March is the official creation of the National Library.
The collection of 60,000 pieces was installed in the Third Order of Carmel, but the Library, although inaugurated on May 13, 1811, was only open to the public in 1814. Previously, access was restricted to scholars on request. In the early years in Brazil, the collection had a significant enrichment, dating from that time the acquisition of important collections, such as Manuel Inácio da Silva Alvarenga.
After Independence, it was bought by the Empire of Brazil as part of the Additional Convention to the Treaty of Friendship and Alliance signed between Brazil and Portugal on August 29, 1825.
Despite the difficulties pointed out by its directors and the National Library remains the main center of Brazilian documentary and bibliographic information. Among the important collections and items within it, are a collection of photographs Teresa Cristina Maria, donated in 1891 by Emperor Dom Pedro II (1825-1891) and named after the Empress, two copies of the Bible of Mainz, which dating from 1462, and the Gospel Book, dating from the century. XI-XII, the oldest manuscript of the National Library.
